One increasingly concerning form of identity theft is SIM swapping, sometimes called SIM hijacking.
What Is SIM Swapping?
A SIM swap occurs when a criminal convinces your wireless carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM
card or device controlled by the criminal.
Once the transfer occurs, your phone may suddenly lose cellular service. Meanwhile, calls and text messages
intended for you—including security codes used to access online accounts—may be delivered to the criminal’s
device.
That can allow a criminal to attempt to reset passwords and gain access to your email, financial accounts,
payment apps, or social media accounts.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Taking a few precautions can make a SIM-swap attack more difficult.
1. Add a PIN or password to your wireless account.
Contact your mobile carrier and ask what additional security options are available. Set up an account PIN or
password that must be provided before changes can be made to your account.
2. Ask about SIM-swap and number-transfer protection.
Some wireless providers offer additional protections against unauthorized SIM changes or transfers of your
phone number. Ask your carrier what protections are available for your account.
3. Don’t rely solely on text messages for multifactor authentication.
When possible, consider using an authenticator app, security key, biometric authentication, or another
stronger authentication method instead of receiving security codes by text message.
4. Protect your personal information.
Criminals may collect information from social media, phishing emails, text messages, data breaches, and other
sources to impersonate you. Avoid publicly sharing information such as your phone number, address, date of
birth, or other information that could be used to verify your identity.
5. Be suspicious of requests for personal information.
Never provide passwords, PINs, verification codes, account numbers, or other sensitive information in
response to an unexpected phone call, email, or text message. If someone claims to represent a company you
do business with, contact the company using a telephone number or website you know is legitimate.
Know the Warning Signs
One of the most important warning signs of a SIM swap is your phone unexpectedly losing cellular service.
Be especially cautious if:
- Your phone suddenly shows “No Service” or “SOS Only” when others nearby have service.
- You receive an unexpected notification about a SIM, eSIM, device, or phone-number change.
- You receive notices about password resets or account changes you didn’t request.
- You suddenly cannot access your email, online banking, or other accounts.
- You notice transactions or transfers you don’t recognize.
Think You've Been SIM Swapped? Act Immediately.
If your phone unexpectedly loses service and you suspect a SIM swap, don’t wait.
Contact your wireless carrier immediately from another phone and tell them you believe your number may
have been transferred without your authorization.
Then:
- Regain control of your phone number.
- Change the password for your primary email account.
- Change passwords for your online banking and other important accounts.
- Review your financial accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Contact OU Federal Credit Union immediately if you notice suspicious activity involving your OUFCU accounts.
- Consider reviewing your credit reports and taking additional identity-theft precautions if personal information has been compromised.
One Important Rule: Never Share a Verification Code
A legitimate security code sent to your phone is intended for you.
If someone contacts you and asks you to read back a verification code you just received, stop communicating
with that person. Criminals frequently use verification codes to try to gain control of accounts.
Protect Your Number Like You Protect Your Password
Your mobile phone number has become part of your digital identity. Protecting it can help protect your email,
financial accounts, and personal information.
A few minutes spent strengthening the security of your wireless account today could prevent a much bigger
problem tomorrow.
OU Federal Credit Union
Helping our members protect their money and their financial future.
Remember: If something involving your OUFCU account doesn’t look right, contact the credit union promptly
using a trusted contact method.